IT started as a few "social" cigarettes at school when she was just 14. But soon Wendy Jones was so hooked on a 20-a-day habit that she even sneaked a smoke on her wedding day, despite having vowed not to spoil that blooming bride image it had taken months to create.

For almost 30 years the mum-of-three from Bury puffed away on her favourite vice. Until one very special day last year when something suddenly clicked that made her decide to stop there and then. It was Mother's Day, and the hospital worker finally decided it was time to quit for the sake of her kids - Anne-Marie, 19, Zak, 13, and eight-year-old Connor - and non-smoker husband Gareth, 40.

"I've always smoked, since the age of about 14, but after having the kids I tried not to smoke in front of them," explains Wendy, 43. "I would go into the kitchen or wait until they were in bed to relax with a cigarette and a glass of wine in the living room.

"My kids didn't like me smoking. My middle son, in particular, would take the cigarette from my mouth and throw it out of the window if he caught me. So, on Mother's Day last year I decided to give up. I had been prescribed a new anti-smoking drug and that was the day I started taking it. I haven't smoked another cigarette since."

Healthy environment

In fact, so dedicated was she to providing a healthy environment for her kids, that Wendy took it one step further by signing up to Bury's new Smoke Free Homes scheme. A new initiative between Bury Primary Care Trust and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, was launched on No Smoking Day this year to help cut smoking related illnesses and fires.

Participants - who must commit to not smoking in the home and fitting at least one smoke alarm per floor - receive a certificate. However, Wendy says the simple knowledge she was providing a healthier home environment for her and her family was motivation enough to sign up.

"My dad died of emphysema after smoking all his life and it was hard watching him being rushed into hospital struggling for breath," she says. "I didn't want that for me and my kids. Since becoming a smoke-free home we've all noticed a difference."

So, how did Wendy finally quit, what impacts has it had on her health - and how does she feel now, a year on?

How Wendy quit

Having tried various methods over the years, including nicotine patches, Wendy signed up to an NHS scheme at her workplace, Fairfield Hospital, to try out anti-smoking drug Champix.

The controversial drug recently hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons after Omer Jama, who had been prescribed the drug two months earlier to kick a 20-a-day habit, was found dead in Bolton. The family of the senior Sky Sports editor, who died after slashing his wrists, have called for more research into the pill, which has been reported as being linked to depression, suicide, panic and abnormal thoughts.

However, Damian Edwards, acting tobacco control co-ordinator for Bury, says it's important to see both sides of the story.

"The balanced view is that there are people who have been successful in quitting smoking with this drug," he says. "I have got 18 members of staff here at Fairfield Hospital who have taken it and quit. It would be a shame for people only to see the negative side and say they don't want to take it now.

"It's important to remember that this is a medicine and there are going to be risks, as there are with any drug. But the majority of people are succeeding with it and doing well as long as they take good medical advice. This particular drug works on the chemistry of the brain and there is a lot to consider when prescribing it.

"Anyone who wanted to take it should go through their doctor to a specialist service and receive ongoing support."

One-to-one counselling

It was Damian who worked with Wendy, during one-to-one counselling sessions, to help her quit. Although everyone he helps, aged from 18 to 80, has a different story, he says her tale is quite typical.

"A lot of people start when they are very young, like Wendy, being enticed into it at school," he explains. "Every person has a different reason to stop. But I think Wendy was clever to pick a significant date for her - Mother's Day - which would act as motivation.

"Having that date really focused her mind. Then it was a case of medication and counselling. Smoking cessation services can offer a range of nicotine replacement options. But, I think some of the best help we can offer is counselling. Research shows that with some form of support you are two and a half to four times more likely to succeed in quitting."

But, like many people who have taken part, he says the Smoke Free Homes scheme proved to be the extra push she needed.

"Wendy understands by having a smoke-free home her children are better off and the whole family have a healthier environment. It's safer, too, as smoking-related fires are the second biggest cause of fires in the home and the biggest single cause of deaths."

The health benefits

The list of health risks associated with smoking is a long one - from lung cancer to heart disease, and stroke. However, the benefits of giving up can be quick and long-lasting.

"No matter how long you have been smoking, the important thing is that giving up will prevent any further damage," says Dr Peter Elton, Bury's director of public health. "You will notice some improvement in the first few weeks as you get some lung capacity back. Everyone who gives up says they are able to do more exercise. Within a couple of years your risks of heart disease start decreasing.

"For Wendy, there are additional benefits. As she has created a smoke-free home she is cutting the health risks for her children too."

The physical benefits

Smoking not only has an effect on your health but your looks too. Many smokers will find their skin looks grey, tired and more prone to wrinkles, while hair may be more brittle.

Having stayed off cigarettes for a year now, Wendy is a vision of health with glossier hair and blooming skin. So our makeover team had no trouble picking out a fab new look for our super stylish mum.

Debs Hatfield, style advisor at Manchester's Arndale Centre - which is kindly donating £100 of clothes to all our I Love Me makeover volunteers - picked out a bright and breezy spring look to match her blooming new complexion.

"I know Wendy has been keeping fit since she gave up smoking and she has an amazing figure," says Debs. "She looks great in this summer's trend for flared jeans and big floaty chiffon tops.

"The bright blue colours show off her blooming new complexion and shiny hair. While the casual style should suit her busy job as a mum!"

With some expert hair styling from Andrew Barn, of barn//it at Harvey Nichols, and light natural make-up from artist Siobhan Trow, of Laura Mercier, she's a model mum.

The verdict

With a new bill of health and a fab new figure, Wendy's lifestyle transformation is complete. But how does she feel, over a year since she quit?

"It has taken a fair bit of willpower but I haven't touched a cigarette since the day I quit," she says. "At first I did put a bit of weight on but I've worked hard to lose it again. Now I feel much healthier.

"I go out running with Gareth and have worked up to 20 minutes each time. It's exhausting but I feel great. Plus, the whole family can go walking up Holcombe hill together now. I used to be coughing by the time I reached the top, now we all get there together."